Lapped up on the Himalayas, Nepal is India’s neighbouring country up north. The country is home to wonderful landscapes, delicious cuisine, respectful culture and beautiful temples.
Maitidevi Temple
The Maitidevi temple is located in Kathmandu. The name “Maiti” means parental home and “Devi” means goddess, meaning the parental home of all goddesses. Offering water to the Maitidevi before worshipping the Manakamana Devi temple ensures fulfilment of the worshipper’s wish!
The Lichchhavi era idols and inscriptions are found in the temple. The temple was built after a divine peacock landed here and turned everything it touched into gold.
Manakamana Temple
The Manakamana Temple is the sacred place of Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Manakamana means “wish of the heart” and worshippers seek the fulfilment of their wishes from the Devi.
Throngs of married couples, students, businessmen and tourists throng the Devi’s temple for fulfilling their respective wishes. Legend says that the priest is a descendent of Lakhan Thapa, the first devotee of the Devi.
He was the one who performed tantric rituals on a stone from which blood and milk were flowing, thereby marking the site for the present temple site.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Kathmandu, Nepal and is the major reason for many Hindu devotees to visit the place. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The entire area is thronging with multiple minor temples, ashrams and inscriptions from the past centuries.
Pashupatinath Temple has survived the earthquakes which shattered half of Kathamandu. The temple courtyard and premises are accessible to Hindu devotees only and the temple security makes sure of that.
Pashupatinath is dressed in gold and offering milk and Ganga Jal to the deity is only done by the temple priests. The main lingam is one metre high and has a silver serpent around it. Each direction has a face protruding and tiny hands holding the Rudraksha and kamandalu.
Tal Barahi Mandir
The Tal Barahi temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, known as Barahi and is located on an island in the middle of the Phewa lake in Pokhara, Nepal. It is one of the most important monuments in Pokhara and visiting it is only possible by boat. The usual visiting months for the temple are Baisakh (April-May) and Kartik (November-December) for realisation of manifestations of Ajima. Ajima is the deity representing all female ancestors of Newar society – a matriarchal society. The deity is the protector of children and of cities as well.
The way to the temple is perhaps the most beautiful one. Going on a private boat will give the liberty to enjoy the beautiful Annapurna mountains and the lake view with its pristine waters. It takes one out of the hustle of Pokhara and lapped into the very heart of nature. It is an almost surreal moment with the blue skies overhead and the aquamarine waters underneath, surrounded by the green mountainside to the left and the snow lapped Annapurna peaks reflecting upon the cool springs of the Phewa Lake.
More Temple Worships To Follow
Whilst the temples covered in Nepal are but a tip of the iceberg, they represent the cultural spine of the Hindu culture. These temples and their sacred sanctums hold the power to bless and uphold the worship of the multitudes of worshippers who visit here everyday. Experience the sacred environment of these temples in person at least once in your lifetime!